LNP - Ian Kaye

LNP response received from Michael O'Dwyer, LNP State Director in communication to the Australian Christian Lobby State Director.

1 – SEX AND GENDER THEORY EDUCATION

The LNP is committed to providing better support for families as we Build a Better Queensland.

We have already committed that we will withdraw Safe Schools Coalition resources from Queensland schools.

Under the LNP’s plan to tackle bullying we will develop a new anti-bullying resource for Queensland schools developed in consultation with teachers, parents, educational experts and child psychologists and that is age appropriate.

Any form of bullying or anti-social behaviour should never be tolerated in our schools.

2 – ABORTION

Earlier this year, the Queensland Parliament was due to debate two abortion bills that were introduced by the Member for Cairns Rob Pyne and were being strongly pushed by Labor’s Deputy Premier Jackie Trad.

The LNP made a public commitment to oppose both of these Bills after allowing Members a conscience vote.

The bills were then withdrawn from the Queensland Parliament and referred to the Queensland Law Reform Commission for further advice and analysis.

The first Bill left the entire area of abortion unregulated and this was clearly untenable.

The second Bill attempted to correct the failures of the first Bill but fell short. It created further risk and uncertainty as shown in the Parliamentary Committee report.

In fact, the second Bill sought to make it legal for a woman to secure her own abortion without medical supervision – including by the use if illicitly obtained drugs.

The second Bill also created additional legal uncertainty and an ongoing legislative conflict between the Criminal Code and the Health Act.

It is the long-held position of the LNP that the current abortion laws are sufficient and do not need to be changed.

3 – EUTHANASIA

In Queensland, neither voluntary euthanasia nor assisted suicide is permitted. This is consistent with most other Governments around the world.

While doctors and nurses have the obligation to preserve life, where death is imminent and where curative or life-prolonging treatment appears to be futile, the ethical duty is to ensure that death occurs with dignity and comfort. The law, therefore, recognises that doctors are entitled to administer proper and necessary medical treatment to alleviate pain and suffering even if those measures also shorten life.

The law also permits a person who has the capacity to make decisions about health matters to refuse any medical treatment. Advance health directives permit a person’s wishes to prevail with respect to particular treatment even when the person no longer has the capacity to exercise their rights to refuse treatment.

The LNP will not be changing the current laws.

4 – OUTDOOR ADVERTISING

The LNP is committed to ensuring Queensland is the safest place in Australia to raise a child.

We previously established a parliamentary committee inquiry to look at issues relating to sexually explicit outdoor advertising.

The LNP supported recommendations and agreed to investigate enforcement options to penalize advertisers that do not comply with the determinations of the Advertising Standards Board.

That remains our position and Labor have done nothing on the issue for three years.

Further, the so-called ban on Wicked Campervan slogans is completely futile and it has no impact on vehicles that are registered in other states.

5 – PROSTITUTION

The LNP is happy to consider international best practice policies and laws to ensure that illegal prostitution and sex trafficking activities are stamped out, in consultation with the police and the regulatory agency known as the Prostitution Licensing Authority.

6 – HUMAN RIGHTS BILL

We support the preservation of the human rights of Queenslanders, but we said publicly that we don’t support the introduction of a Human Rights Act or Bill of Rights. We believe that this would have the perverse effect of limiting the rights and freedoms of Queenslanders and while legislation should always be reviewed, existing laws are sufficient in their objective.

Issues relating to same-sex marriage are a matter for the Commonwealth Parliament.

Our anti-discrimination laws need to ensure that the fundamental rights of individuals are protected and any form of ‘hate speech’ is already outlawed in Queensland.

7 – CHILD SAFETY – FOSTER SYSTEM

There is no doubt that the child safety system is in crisis under Labor.

The Queensland Parliament passed new laws in this term to implement permanency care orders that provide stability for children in care. We will monitor the implementation of these laws to ensure they are operating in the best interests of the welfare of our vulnerable children.